Ilex×ataclerensis `Wight Selection` variety

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of Ilex×altaclerensis having outstanding tolerance to very high southern day and night temperatures while retaining USDA Zone 8 winter hardiness.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct plant cultivar ofIlex×altaclerensis in the Aquifoliaceae family.

This new Ilex selection, hereafter referred to as `Wight Selection`appears to be a hybrid of I. aquifolium×I. perado subsp. platphylla,commonly known as `High Clere Holly.` The mother plant was discovered inearly 1980 at Wight Nursery, Highway 111 South, Cairo, Ga., growing in apurchased lot of Ilex×koehneana `Wirt L. Winn.` Ilex×koehneana `Wirt L.Winn` is itself a hybrid of I. aquifolium×I. latifolia.

The current new cultivar Ilex `Wight Selection` appeared quite differentfrom the other plants in the block. After isolation and furtherevaluation, samples were submitted to and identified by Mr. GeneEisenbeiss (Registrar Authority, Holly Society of America, U.S. NationalArboretum, Washington, D.C.) as a cultivar of Ilex×altaclarensis.

This new cultivar has been reproduced numerous times by asexualpropagation (vegetative cuttings). Each of the progeny exhibitsidentical characteristics of the original mother plant establishing thisselection as reproducible and true to type.

Ilex `Wight Selection` has many desirable and distinctivecharacteristics which render it unique from any other potentiallysimilar Ilex×altaclerensis or Ilex aquifolium cultivar presently offeredin the nursery trade. The unique ability of this distinct selection towithstand high summer temperatures and especially high nighttemperatures of the Southeast without damage is the most significantdesirable characteristic. Other distinct characteristics of Ilex `WightSelection` include variability of spines of the leaf margins, distinctpurple pigmentation of the young leaves and stems and bright red fruitwhich is born in moderate quantities.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

FIG. 1 shows an unpruned individual plant of the new selection growingin a 19 L (5 gallon) container of an age of 27 months from cutting.

FIG. 2 is a side-by-side comparison of leaves taken from one plantshowing the variability of spines on the leaf margin.

FIG. 3 shows the winter color of young (immature) leaves and stems.

DETAILED PLANT DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed description of the performance andappearance of Ilex `Wight Selection.` Descriptions are based on no fewerthan 15 specimens for each specified characteristic. Colordeterminations and comparisons are all based on The Royal HorticulturalSociety Colour Chart.

Overall size and growth habit:

Size.--The ultimate size of Ilex `Wight Selection` is unknown as nospecimen has reached full maturity. The growth rate is between 30 cm to45 cm (1 foot to 11/2 foot) per year.

Habit.--Upright, pyramidal, somewhat open, well branched (FIG. 1).

Foliage:

Size.--Length (from petiole to leaf apex) -- 6.1 cm to 8.2 cm (21/4 to31/2 in.). Width -- 2.6 cm to 4.2 cm (1 to 13/4 in.). Margins -- Entireor with 1 to 16 spines (FIG. 2). Shape -- Ovate to oblong -- lanceolate.Apex -- Acute-cuspidate (with single spine at the tip). Base -- Obtuse.Petioles -- 1 to 1.5 cm. (0.4 to 0.6 in.).

Color.--Winter color -- Upper leaf surface of young (immature) leaves:R.H.S. Colour Chart Fan 4, Greyed-Purple Group, No. 187A (FIG. 3). Lowerleaf surface of young (immature) leaves: R.H.S. Colour Chart Fan 4,Greyed-Purple Group, No. 183B (FIG. 3). Upper leaf surface of matureleaves: R.H.S. Colour Chart Fan 3, Green Group, No. 139A. Lower leafsurface of mature leaves: R.H.S. Colour Chart Fan 3, Green Group, No.137B. Summer Color -- Upper leaf surface of young (immature) leaves:R.H.S. Colour Chart Fan 3, Green Group, No. 141B. Lower leaf surface ofyoung (immature) leaves: R.H.S. Colour Chart Fan 3, Green Group, No.146C. Upper leaf surface of mature leaves: R.H.S. Colour Chart Fan 3,Green Group, No. 139A. Lower leaf surface of mature leaves: R.H.S.Colour Chart Fan 3, Green Group, No. 137C.

Stem color:

Winter color.--Newly emerging and young undeveloped stems: R.H.S. ColourChart Fan 4, Greyed-Purple Group, No. 183B (FIG. 3). Mature stem (one totwo years growth): R.H.S. Colour Chart Fan 3, Yellow-Green Group, No.146A.

Summer color.--Newly emerging and young undeveloped stems: R.H.S. ColourChart Fan 3, Yellow-Green Group, No. 146C. Mature stem (one to two yearsgrowth): R.H.S. Colour Chart Fan 3, Yellow-Green Group, No. 148A.

Inflorescence and fruit:

Flowers.--Pistillate, in terminal clusters born on the precedingseason's growth. Four petals.

Size.--Fully open blooms are 7 to 11 mm. in diameter.

Petal color.--R.H.S. Colour Chart Fan 4, White Group No. 155C.

Fruit.--Round 8 to 10 mm in diameter; formed in moderate quantities.

Fruit color.--R.H.S. Colour Chart Fan 1, Red Group No. 44A. Produced inSeptember and attaining full coloration by December.

Environmental tolerances:

Heat tolerance.--Ilex `Wight Selection` has the unique ability towithstand high summer day and night temperature at Cairo, insouthwestern Georgia without damage. Production trials of Ilexaquifolium `San Gabriel` and Ilex `Wight Selection` were carried out in1985 at Wight Nursery, Cairo, Ga. Summer high temperatures averaged inmid nineties (degrees F.) with an average humidity usually exceeding50%. The average nighttime low temperatures averaged in the seventies(degrees F.). During the peak high temperatures of this period of timeall of the Ilex `San Gabriel` exhibited general foliage deteriorationwhich finally led to their mortality while the Ilex `Wight Selection`were unaffected. According to Mr. Gene Eisenbeiss (Holly Society ofAmerica, U.S. National Arboretum, Washington, D.C.) "In spite of themany cultivars of I. aquifolium and the hybrid altaclerensis, fewperform well anywhere on the East Coast particularly south ofWashington, D.C. They all seem to have a difficult time with the highsummer temperatures especially high night temperatures."

Hardiness.--Ilex `Wight Selection` survived 39 hours at less than 20° F.in Cairo, Ga., from 12/21/84 to 1/4/84. Ilex `Wight Selection` survived39 hours at less than 20° F., and 84 hours at less than 32° F., from1/2/85 to 1/4/85. The minimum cold temperature in 1985 was 9° F. WightNursery, Cairo, Ga. is located in USDA Hardiness Zone 8, (10° to 20° F.,-12.2° to -6.7° C.). Ilex aquifolium: USDA Zone 6 (-10° to 0° F.,(-23.3° to 17.8° C.). Ref., John J. Sabuco, The Best of the Hardiest,2nd edition. Ilex×altaclerensis: USDA Zone 6 (-10° to 0° F., -23.3° F.,to 17.8° C.). Ref., Carl Whitcomb, Know It and Grow It. Ilex perado:USDA Zone 7 (0° to 10° F., -17.8° to -12.2° C.). Ref., Baily, HortusThird. Ilex latifolia: USDA Zone 7 (0° to 10° F., -17.8° to -12.2° C.).Ref., Carl E. Whitcomb, Know It and Grow It.

COMPARISON WITH THE MOST SIMILAR CULTIVARS Ilex×altaclerensis`Camellifolia`

Leaf size: To 12.7 cm (5") long and 5.1 cm (2") wide, larger than Ilex`Wight Selection.`

Leaf margins: Essentially entire or with erratic spines from 1 to 8,rarely armed on both margins. Fewer spines than `Wight Selection` andIlex `Wight Selection` has spines on entire margins on some leaves.

Plant habit: Pyramidal, similar to the Ilex `Wight Selection.`

Fruit: Fruits abundantly, `Wight Selection` fruits in moderation.

Ilex×`Nellie R. Stevens`

Leaf size: To 10.2 cm (4") long and 3.8 cm (1.5") wide, with a bullateappearance which differs from Ilex `Wight Selection.`

Leaf margins: Entire or 2 to 3 spines on each side of the leaf.

Plant habit: Pyramidal, similar to the Ilex `Wight Selection.`

Fruit: Heavily fruitful, in contrast to the new selection.

Ilex×koehneana `Wirt L. Winn`

Leaf size: To 6.3 cm (2.5") long and 3.8 cm (1.5") wide, oval leaves.Ilex `Wight Selection` has ovate to oblong-lanceolate leaves.

Leaf margins: Very spiny compared to Ilex `Wight Selection.`

Plant habit: Similar pyramidal form to Ilex Wight Selection.`

Fruit: Fruits more heavily than Ilex `Wight Selection.`

REFERENCES

Andrews, S., 1986. More notes on Clones of Ilex×altaclerensis. HollySociety Journal. 4(3): 9-17.

Baily, L. H., 1976. Hortus Third, McMillan, New York.

Dirr, M., 1983. Manual of Woody Landscape Plants: Their Identification,Ornamental Characteristics, Culture, Propagation and Uses. StipesPublishing Co. Champaign, Ill.

Hillier Nurseries, 1984. Manual of Trees & Shrubs, 5th Ed., AmpfieldHouse, Ampfield, Romsey, U.K.

Krussmann, G., 1985. Manual of Cultivated Broad-Leaved Trees & Shrubs,Volume 11, E-PRO. Timber Press, Portland, Oreg.

Sabuco, J., 1987. The Best of the Hardiest, 2nd Edition. Good EarthPublishing, Ltd. Flossmore, Ill.

Whitcomb, C., 1985. Know It and Grow It, 11, Lacebark Publications,Stillwater, Okla.

Dengler, H., T. R. Dudley and G. K. Eisenbeiss, 1970. Handbook ofHollies American Horticultural Magazine, 49(4): 164-170.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Ilex×altaclerensissubstantially as shown and described, characterized by:a. having ovateto oblong-lanceolate leaves with a length generally in the range of60-82 mm long and 26-42 mm wide with about 1-16 marginal spines, b. around fruit 8-10 mm in diameter produced only in moderate quantities,and c. an outstanding tolerance to summer day temperatures exceeding 90°F. and night temperatures often exceeding 70° F. while having a coldhardiness at least suitable for USDA Zone 8 (10°-20° F.).